By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has intercepted illegal drugs valued at PHP718 million during separate operations in Manila and Cavite that resulted in the arrest of two individuals.
In a statement on Saturday, the PDEA operatives, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), intercepted an estimated 800 kg. of suspected marijuana, locally known as kush, during an operation at the Designated Examination Area of Container Facility Station 3 of the Manila International Container Port in Tondo, Manila shortly after midnight.
The PDEA said the suspect, alias Manalo, 44, a resident of Legazpi City, was apprehended after authorities discovered the illegal drugs concealed inside shipment packages consigned to a declared consignee during inspection procedures at the port facility.
Recovered from the shipment were approximately 800 kg. of suspected marijuana packed inside 80 black plastic storage boxes. Each box contained multiple vacuum-sealed transparent plastic bags filled with the suspected illegal substance. Also confiscated during the operation were a mobile phone and an identification card belonging to the suspect.
Based on the standard drug price set by authorities, the seized marijuana has an estimated street value of PHP640 million.
Meanwhile, the PDEA also intercepted more than PHP78 million worth of illegal drugs in a controlled delivery operation conducted in Barangay Bucandala I, Imus City, Cavite on Friday.
The PDEA said the suspect, alias Moel, was nabbed after claiming two balikbayan boxes shipped through a cargo forwarding service. Upon inspection, the balikbayan boxes were found to contain illegal drugs concealed in several plastic packages.
About 25.4 kg. of kush and 11.4 kg. of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP78.1 million, were seized during the operation.
Also seized from the suspect were cash used in an attempted bribery of the operating officers, identification cards, delivery receipts, cargo documents, a cellular phone, assorted clothing, and drug paraphernalia, such as a grinder and a glass tube with traces of marijuana, as well as a vehicle believed to have been used in the transaction.
The seized drug evidence will be submitted to the PDEA Laboratory Service for forensic examination, while the suspects will be subjected to inquest proceedings and will face several violations under Article II of Republic Act 9165. (PNA)
